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unceremoniously

B1
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʌnsˌɛrɪmˈəʊnɪəsli/

US

  • /ˌənˌsɛrəˈmoʊniəsli/

Description

Imagine a king dismissing his jester, not with polite words and a small gift, but by simply shoving him out the door. That's what "unceremoniously" means. It describes doing something in a rough or sudden way, without politeness or formality. It often suggests that someone's feelings were not considered. You might be unceremoniously fired from a job, meaning you were dismissed quickly and with little care. Or a guest might be unceremoniously thrown out of a party, not asked to leave nicely, but pushed out fast. The word points to a lack of respect in the way something is done.

Examples

  1. 1

    Restaurant removal

    After two warnings, he was unceremoniously asked to leave the restaurant.

  2. 2

    Sports team

    At the end of the season, the club unceremoniously dropped him from the team.

  3. 3

    Everyday action

    She unceremoniously dumped her bags by the door and fell onto the sofa.

  4. 4

    Workplace changes

    When the new CEO arrived, several long-serving managers were unceremoniously replaced.

  5. 5

    Meeting control

    The chair unceremoniously ended the discussion before anyone could ask more questions.

See also

adverbabruptly and without courtesy, formality, or respect

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • unceremoniously dismissed
  • unceremoniously dumped
  • unceremoniously removed

Word family

Explore

  • dismissiveness
  • lack of decorum

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • unceremoniouslyadverb